Alex Trebek Takes Leave From Jeopardy! Following Brain Surgery

The longtime game show host said goodbye to Jeopardy!—for now.

On Friday, Jan. 5, 2018, Jeopardy! host Alex Trebek announced that he had a major health scare back in December 2017. In a video posted to the show's website, the 77-year-old revealed that he'd been diagnosed with a subdural hematoma. "Blood clots on the brain," Trebek explained, noting that it'd been caused by a fall he'd suffered in October.

"Surgery was performed," Trebek continued. "After two days in the hospital, I came home to start recovery."

Fortunately, Trebek appears to be doing well since the operation. "The prognosis is excellent and I expect to be back in the studio taping Jeopardy! very, very soon," he shared.

According to a post on Jeopardy!'s website, written alongside Trebek's video message, Trebek was admitted to California's Cedars-Sinai Medical Center on Dec. 15 and underwent brain surgery to remove a hematoma the next day. The subdural hematoma was reportedly caused by a head injury Trebek had sustained after a fall.

Fans of Jeopardy! will still see Trebek on their favorite game show in the near future, however, because the program records episodes months in advance. The only change made to the schedule has been to move the College Championship to April.

Trebek, who's slated to return to the Jeopardy! set in mid-January, is expected to make a full recovery.

While we wait for another health update from Trebek, read all about celebrities who are currently battling life-threatening illnesses.